In September 1974, for unknown reasons, Tommy packed up his car, said goodbye to his family in Ohio and West Virginia telling them he could never return to Ohio and that he was going to Florida. Mr. Stanley's car was later found in the Northbound Lane of I-95, near Kenly, North Carolina about 60 miles from Raleigh, North Carolina. All of his personal items were still inside the car, including photo albums, clothes, shoes and wallet. The keys were still in the ignition. The car was towed to Holland's Garage and was found to have a broken radiator hose. The car was later picked up by the finance company in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Trooper A. W. Williams tagged the car and felt it had been empty for at least 48 hours and there were no signs of foul play. Family members felt that James Stanley was in some type of trouble and therefore never filed a missing persons report with police because they were concerned for his safety. Seven years later he was declared deceased. His family has never heard from or seen him since he said goodbye.